The Search for anything Bodley

In my first attempt at finding information on the Bodleian Library, I conducted a non-Google search. Otherwise known as a Yahoo search – my most favoured search engine. Yahoo gave me links to the Bodleian Library’s web page at Oxford University’s website, Wikipedia and answers.com.

Some Bodleian facts.....

- Oxford scholars have dubbed the library as “Bodley” or “the Bod”
- Named after Sir Thomas Bodley (founder of the library) in 1602
- Is a legal deposit (or copyright) library and therefore can request a copy of every book published in Britain and the Republic of Ireland

Some collection facts.....

- Holds four copies of the Magna Carta
- Includes Shakespeare’s first folio
- One complete copy of the Gutenberg Bible

Becoming Research Ready

Encarta World English Dictionary’s definition of research
Research (noun) ri súrch, rée surch

Organised study
Methodical investigation into a subject in order to discover facts, to establish or revise a theory, or to develop a plan of action based on the facts discovered.

In order to become research ready, I decided to develop a plan of action prior to starting my research into the development of the Bodleian Library (pronounced /ˈbɒdliən, bɒdˈliːən/) at Oxford University.

This plan (a working document) contained the requirements of the research assignment (the task and purpose), likely resources that would help with my research, keeping track of references as my research progressed and reflections of the research process.

The plan would assist me in gaining skills in researching which ultimately would lead to discovering facts about the Bodleian Library, some of which would include its foundations and history, its historic buildings, the development of its collection, its treasures, access and copyright rules and the library as it is today.